It was exactly a year ago that Jana Sena Party chief and actor Pawan Kalyan entered power politics by taking oath as the deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.
He became an MLA and was immediately elevated to the No. 2 position in the state.
In the 2024 assembly and Lok Sabha elections, Pawan Kalyan emerged as the political sensation of Andhra Pradesh.
He played a crucial role in forging an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, which ultimately brought the coalition to power.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as a "tsunami," acknowledging that without Pawan, the alliance wouldn’t have secured power.
Under his leadership, the Jana Sena Party achieved a 100% strike rate, winning all the seats it contested, cementing his image as a symbol of political trust.
During the election campaign, Pawan made bold promises, took personal responsibility for fulfilling them, and projected himself as the guardian of the people’s welfare.
However, a year later, questions are being raised about his actual achievements since taking office. Has he succeeded, or is he losing relevance due to repeated political missteps?
In the run-up to the elections, Pawan’s statements created major ripples. He effectively countered the YSRCP’s dominance while strengthening the NDA alliance by supporting the TDP.
His repeated assurances that he would ensure the implementation of every promise made by the alliance convinced voters of his sincerity. His firm stance against corruption gave people hope.
Supporters and party cadres believed his presence would keep the TDP government accountable and offer an opportunity for Jana Sena’s growth.
Yet, within a year, the situation has shifted. The fear Pawan once instilled in TDP leaders has diminished.
His repeated statements describing N Chandrababu Naidu as his role model, and his assertion that Naidu should remain chief minister for two more terms, have frustrated many of his own supporters.
In the early months, Pawan garnered public attention as deputy chief minister — holding public grievance meetings, responding to incidents like the stampede in Tirumala (even offering apologies), and confronting home minister V Anitha over law-and-order issues. But over time, he has lost momentum.
Observers now say Pawan appears more focused on securing the political future of Naidu and his son Lokesh than on building his own party.
His silence on several key issues — including the ostracization of Dalits in Pithapuram and other local injustices — has deeply disappointed many of his admirers.
His current passive leadership style is proving to be a boon for Jagan Mohan Reddy and the opposition, analysts say.
While the BJP, as a coalition partner, has maintained some distance from praising the TDP, Pawan is seen as excessively supportive.
In the entire year since the elections, Pawan has not held a single major meeting focused on strengthening his party. Loyal party workers also complain of not being rewarded with nominated posts.
In contrast, Lokesh appears to be expanding his influence in the government.
Despite Pawan holding the deputy CM position, Lokesh, as a minister, is increasingly becoming more prominent. This has led to speculation within the alliance that Pawan is sacrificing his own political capital for Lokesh’s benefit.
Pawan’s silence on legal cases against YSRCP leaders and his lack of response to recent controversial remarks about the film industry have also drawn criticism.
Meanwhile, serious corruption allegations have surfaced against MLAs in the ruling coalition — and once again, Pawan’s silence is being questioned.
With these developments, many are now wondering: If this is Pawan’s leadership after one year, what can be expected over the next four?
